Northwest Territories Child and Family Services is being urged by Canada’s office of the auditor general to determine the appropriate staffing levels required to ensure the safety of vulnerable children effectively. Deputy auditor general Andrew Hayes, along with officials from the Department of Health and Social Services, provided an update during a committee meeting on the progress made following the release of a report on Child and Family Services in May.
The report highlighted various deficiencies, such as the failure to assess the safety of some foster homes, delays in welfare checks, and excessive caseloads for some workers, with some managing more than triple the recommended limit of 11 cases. The OAG attributed these issues mainly to understaffing and persistent job vacancies, noting that the government has not made a concerted effort to address these shortcomings.
In the recent committee meeting, Hayes emphasized that evaluating and resolving human resource challenges is the department’s primary obstacle. He stressed the crucial role of frontline workers in achieving the desired outcomes outlined in the report, emphasizing the importance of adequate staffing levels.
Arijana Haramincic, the executive director of child and family services in the territory, reported on the department’s progress in implementing the auditor general’s recommendations. Measures taken include the addition of 56 positions, expedited recruitment processes, and adjustments to training programs to better meet the cultural needs of Indigenous children in care, who comprise 98% of children in care in the N.W.T. The department has also implemented biennial internal audits to assess its standards.
Hayes pointed out that similar issues were identified in the OAG’s audits of N.W.T.’s child and family services in 2014 and 2018, namely high caseloads and staff vacancies straining the system’s capacity to provide effective services to vulnerable children and families. Haramincic highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance departmental integration and information flow to address these challenges.
Emphasizing the need for immediate action, Hayes stressed the importance of supporting frontline workers to protect vulnerable individuals effectively. He underscored the significance of managing workloads realistically to retain staff and ensure positive outcomes, urging the department to reevaluate expectations beyond budgetary constraints.
Hayes emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues promptly, stating that delays in resolution are unacceptable. Efforts to improve the system and enhance services must be prioritized without delay to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable children and families.